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Paper Cut
Royal Teeth Lyrics


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I caught you making out with the back of your hand
I know I tear you down, but you're here in my bed again
You are a rattlesnake
Should have heard you coming
Should have heard you coming
You are a papercut
And the blood is running
And the blood is running

Oh man I swear to god you drive me insane,
But I let you sabotage just about everything
I thought I had enough,
But you keep me coming
But you keep me coming
You are a papercut
And the blood is running
And the blood is running

Hey,
Can't eat your heart out
We've got this figured out

You're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess
You're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess
We're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess
We're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess

Hey,
Can't eat your heart out
We've got this figured out

You do your best to get up under my skin
Bite your nails, pull my hair
I don't care I'll let you win
You're always making up,
But you're good for nothing
But you're good for nothing
You are a papercut
And the blood is running
And the blood is running

We're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess
We're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess
We're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess
We're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess
We the best, But I don't care about the rest
A perfect mess
We're a mess, but I don't care
No more, no less a perfect mess

Hey,
Can't eat your heart out
We've got this figured out

Lalalalalala
Lalalalalala
Lalalalalala
Lalalalalala
Lalalalalala

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Royal Teeth's "Paper Cut" depict a relationship that is both destructive and irresistible. The catchy chorus proclaims that the person the singer is addressing is a "papercut" who is causing the "blood" of their relationship to run. While the person in question may be "good for nothing," they keep coming back to each other, no matter how much they tear each other apart.


The first verse shows the person caught "making out with the back of their hand," perhaps a moment of self-love that signals they do not need the singer as much as the singer needs them. The second verse is full of conflict as the singer acknowledges that this person is driving them "insane." Yet, they let them sabotage their lives, admitting that they "thought [they] had enough" but cannot resist this papercut.


Throughout the song, the repetitions of "We're a mess, but I don't care, no more no less a perfect mess," suggest that this relationship, though damaging, is also uniquely satisfying. The outcome of this relationship is uncertain, but what is clear is that it is not easy to quit.


Line by Line Meaning

I caught you making out with the back of your hand
I saw you pretending to kiss your hand as if it was someone else


I know I tear you down, but you're here in my bed again
Even though I criticize and hurt you, you keep coming back to me


You are a rattlesnake
You are dangerous and unpredictable


Should have heard you coming
I should have realized your true intentions earlier


You are a papercut
You may seem harmless, but you still hurt me


And the blood is running
Even though it's a small wound, it still hurts and causes bleeding


Oh man I swear to god you drive me insane,
You make me feel crazy and frustrated


But I let you sabotage just about everything
I allow you to ruin and destroy everything I have


I thought I had enough,
I believed I had the strength to resist you


But you keep me coming
You keep pulling me back to you, even though I know it's not good for me


Hey, Can't eat your heart out We've got this figured out
Don't be jealous, we know how to handle ourselves


You're a mess, but I don't care
Even though you have problems and issues, I still love you


No more, no less a perfect mess
Despite our imperfections, we are perfect for each other


You do your best to get up under my skin
You try hard to annoy me and make me mad


Bite your nails, pull my hair
You do things that are painful or uncomfortable for me


I don't care I'll let you win
I don't mind losing or giving in to you


You're always making up,
You constantly apologize or make excuses for your behavior


But you're good for nothing
You don't contribute anything positive to our relationship


We the best, But I don't care about the rest
We are the best together, even if others don't approve


Lalalalalala Lalalalalala Lalalalalala Lalalalalala Lalalalalala
These lines are nonsensical, and only serve as a repeated chorus




Contributed by Audrey A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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